Real emotions are basic“Real” or true emotions are sincere and heartfelt, not fabricated and manipulative.

The “basic” emotions of sadness, fear, anger, and happiness are core emotions. Each core emotion can evolve into a wide range of related, more complex emotions. Some of these emotions are helpful, others destructive.

For example, anger can become hate. Hate can become rage. Fear can become jealousy. Happiness can become joy. Hate and jealousy corrode the human spirit. Basic emotions have a good purpose.

As helpers, we should remember that true, basic emotions are critical for full human experience. We need them and the gifts they bring us. Sociopaths are incapable of sadness, fear, anger, or happiness. Sadness, fear, anger, and happiness make us human and humane.